Strategy Analytics has released a report indicating that worldwide mobile phone shipments climbed seven per cent annually to hit 515 million units in 4Q14. According to the market research firm, it was the first time that global mobile phone shipments surpassed the half-billion-unit threshold. The largest growth gained belonged to Apple, capturing a record 14 per cent marketshare as a result of its strength in the US and China markets.

Woody Oh, director at strategy analytics, said, "Global mobile phone shipments grew seven per cent annually from 481.5 million units in 4Q13 to 515 million in 4Q14. It was the first time worldwide mobile phone shipments have exceeded a half-billion units in a single quarter. Smartphones accounted for seven in 10 of total mobile phone shipments during the quarter. The seven per cent growth rate of the overall mobile phone market is being driven by healthy demand for 3G and 4G models across Asia, Africa and the Americas. Handset shipments reached 1.8 billion units globally in full-year 2014, an all-time high for the industry."

Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics, added, "Samsung dipped 19 per cent annually and shipped 95 million mobile phones worldwide, capturing 18 per cent marketshare in 4Q14. Samsung is facing intense competition from Apple, Huawei and others in the fast-growing, big-screen phablet segment across China, US and Europe. Apple soared 46 per cent annually and shipped 74.5 million mobile phones for a record 14 per cent worldwide marketshare in 4Q14. Apple's iPhone 6 portfolio with larger screens is the key to its success. Apple fans have been waiting years for outsized iPhones to arrive and demand for Apple's expensive models has been exceptionally high."

Ken Hyers, director at Strategy Analytics, added, "Microsoft shipped 50.2 million mobile phones worldwide in 4Q14, down 23 per cent from 64.8 million a year earlier. Microsoft is experiencing decent growth in smartphones, but its core feature phone line-up continues to struggle. Lenovo-Motorola finally merged officially to capture five per cent handset marketshare and became the fourth largest mobile phone vendor worldwide in 2014. China, Brazil, India and US will be among the main countries targeted by the enlarged group in 2015."

Other findings from the research revealed that LG had a relatively robust quarter, with volumes in North America notably active. In addition, a long tail of second-tier brands continues to build momentum beyond the top four mobile phone brands. Key emerging challengers in mobile phones worldwide at the moment include OPPO, Vivo, Lenovo, Xiaomi and others. They remain important players to monitor.

By: DocMemory
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